Celtic Saints St. Fionnchu of Bangor 28th Nov.

St. Fionnchu of Bangor

Saint Fionnchu was a 6th-century Irish abbot who succeeded Saint Comgall as the abbot of Bangor Abbey in Ireland ¹². Not much is known about his early life, but he was born in Brigobann, now Brigown, in the county of Cork, Ireland ¹. Finnchu was placed with Cumusgach, King of Teffia (in Westmeath and Longford), with whom he remained for seven years. At the end of that time, Comgall of Bangor (county of Down) obtained leave to educate the child as an ecclesiastic at Bangor. Here he distinguished himself by his courage in bearding the king of Ulaidh, who had insisted on grazing his horses on the lands of the monastery. Nine years later Comgall died, and Finnchu succeeded him as abbot, though he does not appear in the regular lists. Seven years later he was expelled from Bangor and the whole of Ulaidh, “because of the scarcity of land.” He then returned to Munster, where the King of Cashel allowed him to choose a place of residence ¹.

Learn more: References

1. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 28). Bangor Abbey. In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangor_Abbey
2. Catholicreadings.org. (n.d.). Saint Fionnchu of Bangor – Memorial, November 28. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from Fionnchu of Bangor – Feast Day – November 28 – Catholic Saint of the Day (catholicreadings.org)
3. Saintforaminute.com. (n.d.). St. Fionnchu of Bangor. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from https://saintforaminute.com/saint-fionnchu-of-bangor/ – Provides the most comprehensive entry.
4. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 28). Bangor, County Down. In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangor,_County_Down
5. Catholic Online. (n.d.). St. Fionnchu. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3386